Pupils vote in national Youth Parliament elections

This week pupils participated in the largest ballot for young people, the Lancashire Youth Council Ballot.  

The Lancashire Youth Council provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their elected voice to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.  

During the school day on Wednesday, pupils were given the opportunity to vote, to select the topic they are most passionate about and want more national action on.  As in adult elections, they had to put a large X in one box only.   
The topics to vote for were:

• Mental Health - School exam pressure, someone to speak to, waiting lists. DR appointments, exercise, affordable. Sporting opportunities.
• Citizenship - Votes for 16 year olds for all elections and referendums.
• Discrimination - Disability, LGBTQIA, age, race.
• Food Poverty - Food banks, school meals, healthy eating.
• Education - Education for life, exams, uniform and inclusivity. Employability skills, political education.
• Safety in public places - Bus stops, shopping centres, Anti-Social Behaviour, lighting, knife crime.
• Transport - Affordable, accessible, right place right time. Free for young people.
• Opportunities for communities - Opportunities to have a voice and influence, that can make changes within local communities, and business.
• Environment - Carbon footprint, renewable energy, recycling.
• Cost of living - School uniform, living wage, energy bills.

Organiser Ms Smith said “When an opportunity comes along to participate in active citizenship, through democracy, we actively participate as part of pupil Personal Development. Where possible, will always try to mimic real-world activities in readiness for life after Priory. All opportunities to vote are enacted in school and tie-in with our Citizenship curriculum, our coverage of Fundamental British Values (FBV) - Democracy and Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) learning”.

On this occasion, the ballot papers will be counted by Lancashire Youth Council, and we look forward to hearing the outcome.

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